As you may be aware, for some time a very negative atmosphere has been pervasive in our State Capitol. The only progressive criminal justice bills moving are those sponsored by Republicans. All the good ones sponsored by Democrats have not even been assigned to committees, with one exception: HB 2301 by Barbara Washington, a Democrat, to Raise the Age was referred to the Judiciary Committee. This is no doubt due to other Republican Raise the Age bills being advanced. Empower Missouri has been fighting long and hard for legislation that would raise to 18 the age for which young people are automatically tried as adults in criminal court.